Food and Fun

Date Night

Well this post will be nothing if not random. Living up to the name I guess. A few weeks ago, through the Boston Brunchers, I was offered free tickets to the Boston Ballet’s Fall show with the understanding that I would in turn post something on it. My sister was a ballerina growing up all through high school, so I’ve seen a lot of ballet through the years and didn’t really think I’d go too much as an adult. It had been a while since my wife and I have had a date night out (plus her birthday was that week), so I jumped at the chance… then started the struggle of finding a babysitter on a weeknight.

I did not do too much research into what was in the fall program prior to the night, though I had heard some rumors of the first number. The show opened with Rooster. All eight songs in the piece were Rolling Stones music set around a theme developed during the first number of “Little Red Rooster.” The dance was humorous enough that at several points the audience found themselves chuckling. The next piece was Awake Only. This piece was what I view as more along the lines of traditional contemporary ballet… if there is such a thing. Both my wife and I interpreted it a little differently, as it was far less literal than Rooster, but we both enjoyed it. The last piece was The Second Detail. I don’t think it would be possible to fit more energy into the choreography than they have. At one point it was so exciting an audience member in the row behind us let out a loud “whoop.” The dancing was clean and emotive and had us captured all evening long. The set was stark for all three pieces, but there was no need for any stage dressing – the dancing was gorgeous.

It was a great night out, I would recommend it. We did get our tickets for free, but looking at the prices, each ticket is very reasonable starting at $29. I went for a little bit of literal inspiration for a recipe to go along with this post. I call it Red Rooster… because …well it is red and chicken. I know, mind blown, right? Well its simple and delicious and can be made easily on a weekday night.